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Four SNAP approvals restrict different food purchases, all effective November 1

2 min read

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USDA's Food and Nutrition Administration published approvals November 3 for food-purchase restrictions in Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina and Virginia, each with a printed November 1 effective date. The excluded categories differ by state. The notices say most commenters opposed the projects, but the agency allowed them to proceed; they provide no measured health results or store-level checkout verification.

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Federal approval notices published November 3 allow Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina and Virginia to proceed with different restrictions on purchases using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. All four print November 1, 2026 as the effective date, before their November 3 publication.

The Agriculture Department's Food and Nutrition Administration, or FNA, says each project tests changes to SNAP's definition of food available for purchase. The notices do not show that every retailer's checkout system has implemented the restrictions.

What differs by state

The approved projects cover these excluded categories, as described in the notices:

  • Montana: high-sugar beverages, energy drinks, candy and prepared desserts.
  • North Dakota: soft drinks, energy drinks and candy.
  • South Carolina: candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and sweetened beverages.
  • Virginia: sweetened beverages.

These category names are not a product-by-product list. The notices direct readers to supporting documents and state pages for the requests and approvals. This record does not independently resolve whether a particular product is covered.

Each state moved its planned start to November 1 in consultation with FNA, according to the notices. Montana had requested September 30; North Dakota September 1; South Carolina August 31. Virginia's February modification had requested October 1. The November notices describe approval to proceed, rather than a fresh request for public comments.

Objections and the agency's decision

FNA reports receiving 29 comments for Montana, 65 for North Dakota, 47 for South Carolina and 30 for Virginia. Each notice says most commenters opposed the project. Their concerns included participant choice, household burdens, retailer and consumer confusion, health and nutrition impacts, and evaluation measures.

The agency says supporters expected improvements in nutrition and public health. FNA nevertheless determined that none of the comments received were significant and allowed the respective project or revised request to proceed without modification. Its belief that the restrictions can address diet-related disease is a policy rationale, not a demonstrated outcome in these notices.

What the approvals do not establish

FNA says it will review results using state evaluation data. The notices provide no measured results. They also say participants may buy the excluded items with funds other than SNAP benefits. The decisions therefore restrict use of the benefit, rather than prohibit those foods from being sold or purchased with other money.

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